3.1 Different Electoral Systems Flashcards
What does plurality mean?
The winner of an election does not always have a majority. More of an inclusive system where parties can represent their followers
What is an absolute majority?
Where the winner receives more than 50% of the popular vote
How does FPTP work?
- each constituency has an MP that is running
- voters vote for their preferred candidate
- winner gets the seat
What type of support does FPTP need in order for candidates to be successful?
Concentrated support
What is a majority government?
Where the winning party has a majority in its Parliament
What is a safe seat?
A constituency where it is highly unlikely that the seat will change hands
Give 3 arguments for the use of FPTP
- strong and decisive government
- simple
- creates a close bond between MP and constituency
Give 3 arguments against the use of FPTP
- not proportionally fair
- wasted votes
- poor representation in legislature
What is a proportional system?
A system whereby the seats awarded is broadly similar to that of the votes they received
What is a majoritarian system?
Used to elect a single candidate
What is the Additional Member System (AMS)?
AMS is a hybrid system which combined FPTP with a proportional representation system
How does AMS work?
- voters get two choices
- they vote for an MSP to represent their constituency
- they then vote for a party to represent their ideological interests on a regional scale
- the regional list vote becomes manipulated using the D’Hondt formula
Give 3 advantages to AMS
- produces a proportional outcome
- more choice
- helps smaller parties
Give 2 disadvantages to AMS
- more complex
- can result in the election of extremist candidates
Where is STV used?
Northern Ireland
How does STV work?
Voters list their voter choice from 1 to 6, then the candidate with the highest vote share wins
Give 3 advantages of STV?
- produced proportional outcome
- gives voters choice
- helps small parties
Give 3 disadvantages of STV?
- complex system
- helps extremist candidates get elected
- lines of accountability are not clear
Where is SV used?
For London Mayor Elections
How does SV work?
Voters have two choices. If the candidate receives less than 50% of the vote, it goes to round 2 where there is only the the top two candidates available. This means that the winning candidate has more than 50% of the vote
Give 2 advantages of SV?
- the winning candidate can claim to have the majority of the votes
- simple to understand
Give 1 disadvantages to SV?
-winning candidate may not achieve a winning majority from the first vote
What is the effect of a proportional system on the party system?
Elections would produce a multi party system. Consequently, a more represented legislature would be created
What is the effect of a proportional system on the government?
Would prevent the government becoming excessively powerful. Would have to seek a minority or coalition government.
What is the effect of a proportional system on voters?
Every vote would count and therefore increase participation.
No longer the need to vote tactically.
Voting system may be too complicated to understand.
